Chapter 48: Island Paradise Part 2
Cinnie led Bo and Lauren to the vent where she and Lauren would share the time before sunrise together. The Queens were horrified to see the manhole cover in the floor marked with an 'L'.
"This is where she sleeps?"
"Yes, My Queen."
Bo placed her hand on Cinnie's shoulder, "Please, Cinnie… we are the intruders to this sacred place that belongs to you and your mate. Call us by our names, not our titles. We have no power over you in this space. So… can she hear us?"
"A vampire's hearing is very sensitive, but her crypt is too deep in the earth for her to hear us through the nearly one hundred feet of soil separating us."
"Can you bring her forth for us?"
"I cannot. The crypt is on a timer. She will not come forth until just after sundown."
'That fucking bastard! I can't do the rite after sundown! He did this on purpose!' Bo's eyes flared blue before Lauren's touch brought her back under control. She didn't want to scare Cinnie, but she didn't know what else to do to help her now.
'Lo? Can you move it?'
'Bo, I just learned how to access the power. Moving something that heavy buried that deep? What if I drop her?'
'Good point.'
Bo's eyes went wide, 'I may have an idea.'
"Cinnie? Can you show me where the control box is for her crypt?"
"My Queen… I mean no disrespect but if you tamper with the box… if the power is cut she would be stranded there…" Cinnie's face held a look of panic.
"I won't touch it, Cinnie… I just need to see it… I may know someone who can help. It depends on how old the device is."
"Very well, ma'am… this way then. Semper will want to come along for this and alert the guard to what we are doing."
Bo nodded as she and Lauren followed the guard. They eventually found themselves traveling down a series of winding staircases. The lower they went, the damper and darker the air around them became. They finally arrived at a set of steel doors. Cinnie inserted a key card, which was followed by a retinal scan. The mechanism in the door clacked, indicating to the guard she could now open the door.
'It's all high tech, Lo… exactly what I was hoping.'
'Bo?'
'In a minute.'
Bo's thoughts were racing a mile a minute… she couldn't keep up with anything except for her wife's need to call Kenzi in the next minute. They entered the room and walked straight ahead the control panel. Cinnie opened the door and flipped a switch. Instantly, the lights in the room came on exposing a steel-encased coffin behind a window.
"That's her?" Bo asked, walking to the window. She placed her hand on the glass, her eyes roaming the edges of the pane where it was sealed to the wall.
"Aye. She can hear us now if she is awake. We were up very late last night, so I'm not sure…"
"Cinnie?" They heard Laura's voice through the vent just below the window. The guard sat down next to the vent, placing her hand over the grate, she replied,
"Aye, love… I'm here… and the Queens as well… and Semper."
"The Queens?! Cinnie… what have you…"
"Laura, calm down… please. We asked Cinnie to bring us. Listen, we will bring you up to speed once you are out of there. For now, I need some answers, can you do that for me? Answer some questions?"
"Aye, My Queen."
"What can you tell us about your crypt? About how it works… things you may know that Cinnie does not as she's not with you while you sleep."
"I know that I must bed by sundown or the crypt will descend without me, leaving me exposed to the light above… I would burn."
"Okay, and can you tell us what happens during your descent?"
"As far as I know it is a continuous journey to this point. A single shaft brings me to rest at the bottom, a single shaft takes me back to the surface."
"And while you are here, what can you tell us?"
"I have never heard a sound while I'm down here... only silence until I hear my wife's voice."
"Is that something you know because you have remained awake all night or do you assume the night is silent because you sleep the entire time?"
"I know it's a technicality, but I sleep all day, ma'am. And to answer your question, it took centuries until I slept through the full length of time. I had plenty of days to listen to the sounds of the silent. Remember, I do not even hear my own breathing unless I choose to breathe."
Bo looked at Cinnie in question, "My wife need not breathe, ma'am. She is of the undead."
"Right… I knew that… I think."
Bo walked over to the control panel, then to the window again. She turned to Semper,
"Semper, can you bring me Kenzi? And tell her to bring her human skills."
The guard just stood there looking at her as if she should be telling him more, "Am I not speaking English to you today, Semp? I seem to be repeating myself an awful lot."
"Sorry, Bo… I… I'm on it. Be right back."
Semper vanished leaving a cloud of dust from the damp, dirty soil beneath his feet. All three women stood waving their hands in front of their faces to clear the air they were breathing.
"My Queen… I would prefer you not do anything that would leave me stranded in here… I…"
Cinnie calmed her wife using reassuring words and tone. Bo smiled knowing the sound of panic in the vampire's voice was linked to the thought of being stuck in the crypt. Lauren moved to Bo's side and leaned into her.
'Bo, this is horrible to watch… to think that all of this time she has had to endure this cage for some ten hours or more every single day for centuries. It's unthinkable.'
'And yet, here we are… witnessing it. Arum is a monster, Lo. I think I have a special cell all picked out for him when we get back.'
'It's already well guarded.'
'It is… so it's perfect. Plus, he's more likely to stay alive here than in our dungeons.'
'Why do you say that? Our dungeons are safe for our prisoners, plus we take very good care of them with daily health checks, healthy meals and regular chi feeds.'
'Yea, but the Queen lives there and she's just pissed enough to walk the extra distance from her Aunt's dinner table to kill his ass. You see, the guards wouldn't protect him from the Queen… either of them.'
'Ah… I see. Definitely safer here… plus, as a doctor I highly recommend that in his condition, he be given a taste of his own medicine on a regular part of his therapy.'
'Why Doctor… I'm glad you agree with my diagnosis and treatment. You see, this doctor crap really is easy.'
'You do NOT want to go there with me again.' Lauren said, recalling a time when Bo had said those exact words leading to a huge fight.
'You know I'm kidding.' Bo said.
'I know you're kidding.' Lauren smirked.
Bo placed a light kiss on her wife's cheek before turning to look at Cinnie. Her blue eyes were filled with unshed tears as she struggled to keep her voice steady. Laura was scared… she didn't know what her Queen was planning, so Bo could hardly blame her.
Kenzi and Semper appeared… the goth was clearly not happy,
"BoBo… your little man is not happy that I'm getting to see you and he's not! Rules are rules and they are NOT made to be broken! You're breaking his little heart!"
"Kenz, we had planned to pop in on him after bedtime tonight. We'll pop in to put him to bed, okay?"
"He'll be pissed."
"He'll be pissed if we don't. Look… we're on a clock here."
"Semp filled me in. So where's the vamp?"
"Kenzi!"
"What? Isn't she asleep?"
"No, Kenz… and she can hear you."
"Shit… sorry! I'm Kenzi… best friend and chief nanny to the Queens. I am known for sticking my foot in my mouth, so don't mind me."
"I'm Cinnie and the Vamp you're referring to is my wife." Cinnie stood and moved to extend a hand to Kenzi. The young Druid took the offered hand and shook it wildly,
"You're hot… and I'm not even into women. Nice to meet you… your wife is clearly a lucky woman… and Australian?"
"Yes."
"Reminds me of my friend Aussie."
"Australian?"
"No. Just wanted to go there, so we called him Aussie."
"I see." Cinnie said, obviously finding the nickname strange.
"So, BoBo… what do you need with my mad skills?"
"I need to get her out before the timer goes off."
Kenzi moved to the window, eyeballing the seal around its edges as Bo had earlier. She looked up to the area above the crypt before moving to her bag and pulling out a flashlight. She angled it upward, taking in a view of the shaft, "Single shaft elevator from what I can see. Has she heard anything during the night?"
"Day."
"Right. Has she?"
"No… she says it's straight up and straight back down."
"So far so good."
Kenzi moved to the control panel. She opened her laptop and pulled open a document that looked like the schematics for the vault.
"Kenzi, how did you get those files?"
"I did what you told me to do… I talked to Madge and she talked to her parents. Apparently, there were only three of these puppies made… only three known to exist. And… in order to increase security, they were recently upgraded to include today's technology."
She connected a few wires to some ports on the control panel, and then connected them to her phone. She then pulled out her laptop and began to work, "Come to mamma."
Bo smirked. That's what she was hoping for and why she called her best friend.
"Bo?" Lauren asked.
"Sorry everyone. You see, in a previous life, Kenzi here was a thief… pickpocketing, then ATM machines, then identity theft and fraud culminating in tech theft. If it runs by computer, she can hack it. By upgrading the security around here, they gave Kenzi access. If they had left the old security in place, she would likely not be able to access the files to change the defaults in place."
"Who would have thought that upgrading security would make it more vulnerable."
"Not that douchebag Arum and the evil couple of the North." Kenzi quipped.
"And if she gets locked out Cinnie, I assure you I can remove that glass."
"So why not just remove the glass?"
"Because I have plans for Laura's crypt."
"My Queen, it is your right to hold my wife in any way you see fit. I only ask…"
"I'm glad you see that as my right because she will be getting an upgrade to her accommodations. This crypt will no longer be hers. It will now hold her captor."
Cinnie's mouth dropped open, "My Queen?"
"Doctor Martini and I have agreed that the best treatment for what ails Arum is regular servings of his own medicine for a period of time that is to be determined. We are not equipped to deliver such a treatment as his current cell is clearly too large to provide the claustrophobic environment he so desperately needs. Since there are already Royal Guards in service here, this is the perfect setting for him to receive his daily therapy."
Cinnie nodded with a smile, "I see."
"Cinnie?"
The guard leaned down to the vent, "I'm sorry, my love. We're all still here. Kenzi is working on the control panel."
"NO CINNIE! I'LL BE TRAPPED! HE WARNED US!"
Kenzi through her hands up in the air, "Warned you of what?!"
Laura spoke, here voice racing as everyone heard the panicked fear in her tone, "He said if we tried to bypass the security protocols I would be trapped in here forever. He said there was something called a fail safe! Please… I will travel up the shaft in another hour or so… I can wait. Why the rush to get me out anyway? I've lived like this for centuries. I can endure this way… as long as I get to spend my nights with my wife… please Cinnie… tell them… this is what we agreed to in exchange for your freedom from the Fae. It's the only way – please tell them!"
Bo moved to the vent, "Laura, I need you to listen to me, okay? Cinnie does not need protection from the Fae. I will fulfill the prophecy and create the Global Union. We have already begun. Arum is my Uncle. He betrayed the Druid clans and is imprisoned in my dungeon. He can no longer harm you, but he also will not be coming to maintain your crypt."
"But his brother and sister-in-law…"
"Are my living with my clan… earlier today, Kenzi delivered a message to them. She has the blueprints to your crypt and she is very good at what she does, Laura. They have upgraded the security to technology she is familiar with, so she is currently running through the system checks to be sure everything is working properly before she goes about a system shutdown and restart. When the system restarts, your crypt should move to the surface."
"BUT I'LL BURN!"
"No, Laura. You won't. Kenzi will disable the electronic lock so the door does not automatically open when you surface. You will stay inside your coffin and we will lay you down on a gurney and move you to the Druid Room of Rites… if it is your wish to become a day walker, I will perform the rite before sundown. If you do not wish to become a day walker, then tell me now and I will stop Kenzi. You will remain on your normal routine until such time I can have a suitable suite built for you and your wife to suit your need to exist in darkness."
There was silence as they waited for Laura's reply. After several long minutes, the guard spoke,
"Laura?"
"I'm here."
"Well, I know that, love. The Queen is awaiting your reply."
"Cinnie… is it your wish to walk with me in daylight?"
"You know it is, my love. Why would you ask such a question?"
There was a pause, "I don't know the habits of the day, Cinnie. Maybe you have established a routine… friends… things you do not wish me to be a part of… I wish to respect your needs as well. You may be accustomed to an empty bed to sleep in… or…"
"Laura O'Mara! You believe I bed another while you sleep?"
"I don't know… I… your scent… there is another… I believe they own a horse?"
"You speak of my friend Samuel! He is a Unicorn who enjoys my company for his morning runs. He is a man, Laura… you know better!"
They all listened as a small laugh grew and grew until the vampire was laughing hysterically.
"Laura?" Cinnie was worried her wife was losing her mind.
"Oh, love… I'm fine… I'm just laughing at myself, that's all."
"You've grown pessimistic in your old age, love."
"I know and I think it's time we embrace the opportunity for change. Is that you would want of me, love?"
"It is, Laura. I'll be with you every step of the way."
"Accept during the rite. I'm sorry, but I must be alone with her for that, Cinnie."
"As you wish, my Queen."
"No, Cinnie… it isn't my wish to keep you from your wife… I just mean, that you literally cannot be in the room… no one can… you would not survive. I must use the power of the sun for the right and it will deflect about the room. It is why there is a designated chamber for the rite."
"I'm sorry, Elder Arum told me I would watch her rise when he freed her from night."
"I hate to say it, but Elder Arum couldn't have freed her. He never intended to do so. Only one of Royal blood can do so. He has no Royal blood."
"But he told us he was brother to King Aidan."
"King Aidan is my father. Elder Arum is nothing to him. King Aidan's brother is married to the niece of Elder Arum. He is at best, an uncle by marriage to a Royal… and he is no uncle of mine."
"Centuries of lies… of waiting."
"Wait no more, kiddies! Are we doing this, vamp?"
Laura chuckled, "We're doing this, Druid thief."
"Okay, hold onto your panties!"
Kenzi looked at Cinnie, "You ready Big Red?"
Cinnie cringed before looking at Bo who shrugged and said, "She grows on you. And don't even bother asking her not to call you Big Red… you're stuck with it. She likes you… she wouldn't give you a nickname otherwise."
"Good… I think. Yes, Kenzi… I've been ready for centuries."
"Okay, girl… here we go. Hold on, Laura!"
Kenzi flicked a switch, typed something in on the keyboard and hit enter. The crypt immediately began to move up the shaft.
"Semper, I'll need you to get me out of here. BoBo and LoLo, you guys better get topside with the wifey. You don't have a lot of time before daylight."
"Thanks, Kenz."
"You bet, BoBo. And Bo?"
"Yea, Kenz?"
"Are you sure you don't want Chase here? I heard you mention using the sun?"
"I don't know how I know what to do, Kenz… I just do. Today, Lauren learned she has telekinetic powers. It's like our powers are growing in this place."
"You sounds worried."
"I'm always a little nervous when we get new powers… it's a little overwhelming. But… we're okay."
"Okay… you look relaxed."
"Aside from cleaning up after my bastard of a distant uncle, I'm good and Lauren feels more free than she ever has. It's good here, Kenz. Thanks for this."
"You're welcome, BoBo."
"Okay, see you top side."
Bo took Cinnie's hand and the three of them teleported to the surface.
… … … … … … …
Cinnie had stood by Laura's crypt, their eyes latched on to each other through the dark glass. She leaned down and kissed the glass before the Royal guard took her to the Druid Room of Rites. Bo stood before Lauren,
"I'll need to feed after this… badly."
"I assumed."
"It will only take a few minutes, but the sun must pass through me to her, then it has to pass back out of her through me to the sun."
"Okay. I'll be here, Bo. I won't let you go."
"I know you won't, sweetie."
"You're nervous."
"I'm about to harness the power of the sun, Lo. Wouldn't you be more worried if I wasn't nervous?"
"You've got a point."
"So, how do you plan to feed me?"
"Teleport you to the water with my Nereid. Remember the Royal Caverns?"
"Good plan."
"Mmmm."
"Okay, it's time." Bo said looking out to see the sun readying itself to meet the land.
"It's beautiful." Lauren said taking in the view.
"Yes, you are." Bo said as she looked lovingly at her wife. She leaned in and kissed her softly. Lauren deepened the kiss and began pushing chi into her wife.
'Feed, love. For you… for Kai.' Lauren said.
Bo began the familiar push and pull of chi with her mate, the chi swirling around them giving the Queen the energy she would need to survive the rite. Bo tried more than once to break the bond, but Lauren stayed strong, determined to continue the feeding ritual. Bo noticed a stirring in her belly… a feeling of a shield forming around Kai's form. Finally, they broke apart, foreheads touching as they caught their breath.
"Lauren."
"I know, sweetie."
"Why?"
"I just knew… I somehow know what you will need to do this. You were worried."
"I was… I know our kids are supposed to be fully protected from things that impact us, but…"
"You weren't sure. He's shielded now, Bo. The amniotic sac is like Kevlar in there. No worries, okay?"
Bo nodded as she ran her hand over the small bump.
"I'll be here when you come out. Go now… you have only minutes to begin. Focus on your love of this woman… your need to free her… and you will find the power you seek."
"Thank you. See you soon."
"See you soon."
With that, Bo placed her hand on the crypt and they teleported into the sealed chamber.
… … … … … … …
Bo took a deep breath as she slowly removed her hand from the coffin before her. She wasn't sure if Laura could hear her or not, but she is sure if she could, the vampire would appreciate some information about what was happening. She moved to the window and peered inside. The tinted glass made it difficult to see much more than her red eyes, but after gazing at her for a moment, she could finally see the woman's form and the soft smile on her face. She was clearly nervous.
"Can you hear me, Laura?"
The woman nodded.
"Good. We're in the Druid Room of Rites. Have you heard of it?"
The woman nodded again.
Bo looked up taking in the circular room that had bay windows all the way around. She somehow just knew that soon, light would blaze into those windows and pass into her body. She knew that she was the conduit. Her job was to allow the light to slowly enter Laura… too fast and she would burn, too slow and she remained a nightwalker. She imagined that this was going to hurt… which would explain why most royals before her had not been willing to do this for many vampires. If they had, she would surely have heard more about it in her studies. She could see the sun now gleaming a bright orange… any minute now.
She looked back at Laura and placed her hand on the glass. The vampire responded in kind, the fear never leaving her eyes. Bo guessed she held a similar fear in her own… fear of hurting this woman and ravaging the life of the woman outside of those doors… fear of hurting herself and in turn, Lauren, Ethan and their unborn children. She was glad Kenzi was here… Lauren would need her if something went wrong. Talk about shitty ends to a vacation.
She tried to tap into her link to talk to Lauren, but she could not connect. She looked around the room… it seemed normal enough… what would be able to block their mystical connection? If this worked, she would ask Gaia when she fed tonight. She had a feeling she was the one pumping her head full of knowledge anyway. It was funny… Lauren was the Unicorn… the one with all the knowledge of the universe… if they were looking for smarts when they made that prophecy, they should have made her wife the Queen and she the Queen Consort.
Well, no matter… Bo gave one last look to Laura and smiled as she felt the sun enter the room.
"I'm sorry if this hurts. I'll do my best to protect you."
Laura nodded with a smile as Bo removed her hand and walked to the crest on the floor. She looked down at the runes,
"Translation, plant your ass here, Bo. Stand firm or this will knock you on your ass. Let's go Succubus… time to put on the big girl pants." She lowered her hand to her belly, "You ready for this Kai? Time for Mamma to be a badass… hold on tight."
Bo's eyes glowed blue-white as she called upon her Succubus to protect her, then her Druid to perform the rite,
"I, Ysabeau, your chosen One True Queen, call to Gaia, our Good Mother and Bel, the Ancient God of Fire and Son. Lend me your light that the woman caged within may be released to walk among the beings of the daylight."
The familiar red glow of Bo's Succubus trailed down her skin as her arms stretched out, wind blowing around her. Her eyes opened, now glowing bright white as the light began to pass through her chest to the crypt behind her. The brightness began to filter down her arms and legs encompassing every fiber of her body with the exception of the small bump on her belly.
Bo felt as one with the universe in that moment. As the power of the sun pushed through her, she absorbed it as she did fire, though this felt like more of a chi feed then catching fire. She held it, syphoned it and passed it on to the vampire behind her, filtering out the ultraviolet rays that would kill the woman… but Bo wondered… in such massive doses, what would those rays do to her? She pushed the thought from her mind. It was too late to turn back… if she stopped now before the sun set fully, Laura would get a massive dose of light and be killed. That wasn't going to happen. Whatever damage was done to her, Lauren would heal… she would always save her… Bo knew that because she would always save her wife.
… … … … … …
Kenzi was pacing back and forth in front of the door. Lauren was sat in a gaudy velvet chair positioned just by the window to the left. Semper stood guard at the entrance to the room watching Cinnie fumbling with the sword she held across her lap as she sat in the chair opposite Lauren.
"That's it! The sun is down! I'm going in!"
"Kenzi! Calm down. You can't go in… the door will open on its own when the rite has concluded."
"How can you be so calm? The sun is down! Why isn't it opening!"
"I don't know, Kenz… I only know that we have to wait."
"Fuck wait! I say we break down the motherfucker, get in there and help them! Laura could be toast and BoBo… shit! She could be toast too!"
"Kenzi! Please!" Lauren begged looking at the fear her best friend's words were pushing into Cinnie's mind as she began to stare at the door. It's not that Lauren wasn't worried… she wondered why the door hadn't opened too… she just knew that they couldn't enter.
The room remained silent for another thirty seconds before Kenzi spoke again, "That's it…"
The door flew open and there stood Laura, holding a badly burned Bo in her arms, "Help her!"
Lauren rushed to her side, taking Bo from her arms. She instantly began to push chi into her mate before checking her pulse, "She has a pulse. I can't do this here. I need to be able to feed while I heal her. Semper…"
"I know, Lauren… use the island you went to earlier today. I will see to the security of the area myself. Go, My Queen… save your mate."
Lauren looked up at Kenzi with tears welling in her eyes, "We'll be there to tuck Ethan in at bedtime. I promise, Kenzi. Go now… and don't let him touch you unless your mind is clear. He'll see what you see before you now. I don't want him to have those images of his mom in his head. He'll see them soon enough from me… but not until he knows she recovered from them."
Kenzi shook her head trying desperately to look away from her badly burned best friend, "Take care of her doc. I'll take care of your family."
"I know you will. Thank you Kenzi." And with that, Lauren vanished with her mate.
Kenzi looked up at Laura, "You've been given a gift… use it well and don't you even think of EVER betraying your Queen."
Laura knelt before Kenzi, Cinnie came to her side and did the same, "You have my blood oath, young Druid. The Queens will have my loyalty, that of my mate and my family for as long as we walk this earth. Whatever you need, you need only ask and it is yours if it is ours to give."
"Okay… blood oaths are gross… we do cross my heart in this family. Regardless, that's what I like to hear. You make sure you take care of my girls."
The couple nodded, then stood.
She turned to Semper, "Semp? You'll get them to the house in time for a book before bedtime? I'll have him all ready to go for the big surprise."
"I will, Kenzi. You have my word. Is Eyal…"
"He's fine, Semper. He doesn't let the little Prince out of his sight. It's all good… no new threats although between Kea and Aoife both being in the infirmary with a conscious Vex, things have been interesting… a whole new level of crazy has hit town if you get my drift. Amazingly, Evony has been the voice of reason. Go figure. Well, this fine ass has things she's gotta do… peace out!"
The three were left standing and staring at the whirlpool of air left behind, "She's… interesting."
"She grows on you." Semper said, "So… I believe our chef has a dinner to prepare for some guests?"
"Guests? Guests! SHIT! Seriously? They invited people over! Do we have enough fish? Do we have… my gods… how will I get to the store and…"
"Laura… relax… this menu will be the easiest one you've ever had to deal with. The Queen specifically requested that these guests receive their favorite meal."
She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her list of contacts until she settled on the phone number of the Vampire clans' favorite Japanese restaurant. She handed the phone to Laura and said,
"Place the usual order… then, you can go cook the meal you intended for the Queens tonight."
Laura looked down at the phone… the only time they called this number was when her siblings were coming for dinner, "Cinnie?"
Her wife looked back at her with tears in her eyes, "Yes, love. Our Queen has freed your siblings as well. They are not day walkers but they are free."
Laura looked down at the phone again and smiled as tears slowly tricked down her face. Cinnie captured one of the tears on her index finger,
"Look lover… you cry real tears… not blood tears…"
"I'm… only day walkers cry… it allows them to…"
"You are a day walker now, Laura… so yes, you will cry regular tears so people don't know what you are… you can walk among the living…"
"And sleep in your arms?"
"No… I'll be sleeping in yours." Cinnie smirked as she moved to embrace her wife. After a long moment, she pulled away,
"They're really coming for dinner?"
"Yup… their mates are Druid, so they will teleport them here."
"The shield that holds them?"
"Like the one that once held us… gone thanks to the Queens."
"Gods, Cinnie… how will we ever thank them."
"By being good and loyal members of the Global Union." Semper interjected, "They're the real deal, these two… they only want peace and balance in the universe."
Laura turned back to Cinnie, "She's so badly burned, Cin. Do you think Lauren can heal her? I've never seen a person that badly burned survive let alone healed."
"She'll be fine. Now… I must take my leave as I promised protection to our Queens. Cinnie if you could…"
"I'll adjust the rotation to allow you to move more guards to the south wall to watch the island."
"Thank you, my friend."
"No, Semper. Thank you for bringing the Queens to us. Tomorrow is a new day for us all."
The guard smiled and teleported away.
"Cinnie… about my siblings. I can't possibly ask Bo to make them day walkers. For her to go through that two more times? It would be insanity!"
"I know, love. I don't feel I could ask either."
"My siblings will be… Gaia, I don't know how they'll feel… jealous, angry, happy for me? I just don't know…"
"Well, how about we make that call and order their favorite dinner, enjoy the night with them and then deal with what comes as it comes."
"Sounds perfect."
Just then, Kenzi appeared before them, "Sorry… forgot my bag and my gear." She walked over to where her equipment was, passing the couple as she moved. She caught sight of the phone,
"Who ya callin'? The blood bank?"
"Actually, we're ordering Japanese take out for my siblings. It's their favorite."
"Well, that doesn't say a whole lot about your cooking skills now does it?"
"They don't like me to stand around cooking and cleaning up while they eat. I'm not permitted to cook for them… I'm expected to eat with them."
"I see… well, that will work fine for Bo and Lo too… they love sushi, stir fries… we're take out junkies back home. I'm sure after the stir fry BoBo just got, some comfort food would be perfect."
"You really think? I mean, I think I'm expected to cook…"
"Look… you can take it off the bill… order… they'll love it… here's what you get…"
… … … … … …
Lauren gently laid Bo down, pulling away the remnants of material that still remained adhered to her skin. She wished she had forceps to do this, so she could be sure to completely debride the wound before healing her wife but she had to make due with her fingertips. She heard Bo moan in pain as she attempted to remove a particularly difficult piece, her fingers gripping burned flesh and not the piece of cloth. This wasn't working. She needed something sharp. She looked around and then realized… she did have something sharp.
She partially shifted and began to use her claws to pull the small particles away from the burns and open wounds. It was working. She smiled as she began to get a rhythm going and within the next twenty minutes was satisfied that she had removed the parts that could cause the most damage. Small infections she could deal with by using her claws to excise the wound later… for now, she needed to get them cleaned and closed.
"Bo?"
"Lauren… it hurts…"
"I know, baby. And what I have to do now is going to hurt even more."
"No… please…"
"Bo, I have to… I'm going to put you in the water. The salt will help to cleanse the wounds… it's the closest thing to sterile saline I have. You're a Druid, so your body should welcome the impurities as part of your natural surroundings. I swear I won't let you go, baby but it's the only way."
"Knock me out, Lo."
"I can't Bo… I don't have anything to use… if the pain gets too bad, your body will shut down and you will pass out. I'm sorry, Bo… please… I have to do this."
"Okay."
"I'm going to lift you using the air so I don't have to touch you, then I'll cleanse the wounds by swirling the water around you, then my Nereid and Druid will begin to feed you to give you the energy to help me heal you. Okay?"
"Okay."
Lauren began… She walked next to Bo as she floated to the water, surveying the damage now that she was fully naked and exposed. The worst of the wounds were to her limbs and chest. Lauren smiled when she noticed the skin surrounding their child was completely free of burns… it was healthy, normal skin.
"Bo? The skin around Kai is perfectly normal."
"He's a tough little guy. Good."
She slowly lowered her mate into the water and, as expected, the screams of pain began. Tears rolled down Lauren's cheeks as she forced the water covering her mate to swirl around her, the current gaining speed carrying any impurities that could cause infection away from her. She shifted into her Nereid form, her eyes moving to white as Fae and Druid Healer worked together to push chi into the water that now fully swirled around their mate. Lauren continued to pull chi from the water, air and soil for herself as her Fae and Druid pushed that chi into Bo, beginning the healing process from the inside out.
It was still an amazing thing to watch as her wife's burns healed before her very eyes… the process was slow and Bo was very tense in the water from the pain, but it was working. Lauren thought to herself how a month ago, she would have passed out trying to do this, but now she felt the energy flowing through her from Gaia to Bo with no hint of weakness.
It was an hour later when Lauren stood staring at the beautiful form of her wife's bare skin lying on the sand. She removed her own clothing and shifted into her tiger form, wrapping herself around Bo to keep her warm in the slight chill of the night air. As she lay there, watching over her wife protectively, she pulled chi and continued to push it into her mate.
'Rest now, my love. I will take care of the needs of your Succubus when you wake.'
… … … … … …
"Food's here, love!"
Cinnie and four guards carried in the food for the evening. Laura had made the executive decision to order take out for everyone on staff, her family and her Queens tonight.
"Are you sure we won't have to worry about my family's assets still being frozen, Semper?"
"Absolutely, Laura. There is no way Bo and Lauren are going to let you guys go from the rightful millionaires you are to paupers because of Elder Arum. I guarantee it and if I'm wrong, I'll pay for tonight's take out feast."
"You just love sushi too!"
"Guilty."
"How are things going on the island?"
"The green glow in the water stopped and a fire was made on land, so I'm guessing that Bo is sleeping. That usually means they'll be some banging happening in a while. Then they'll be hungry for food. You know about Lauren's meat requirements, right?"
"Yes… about that… she didn't eat a lot of meat at breakfast and hasn't eaten since. Should we be worried about her making a snack out of any of us?"
"No, her control is amazing. She'll snack on the poor little creatures of that island over there is she needs to taste blood that badly."
"Okay… so… when are my brother and sister coming?"
"The guard on your brother's island said he left in a hurry… something about going shopping. I know his wife was packing the overnight bags."
"Great! They're staying the night! Oh no, the guest rooms!"
"Already taken care of… east wing… well away from the screaming of the master suite."
"Those two sure are… energetic." Laura laughed as she began to arrange some spicy shrimp rolls on a long elegant platter.
"Hey, they're Succubae… what do you expect?"
"Sexual healing, baby… sexual healing." Cinnie moved to wrap her arms around her wife from behind.
"And what of my sister?"
"She took a ferry somewhere. Her husband said they might be a few minutes late, but she would be back."
"Why didn't he just teleport her to where she wanted to go?"
"I don't know… apparently he said she insisted on going alone."
"Okay. Well, that's mysterious."
"All you vamps are mysterious."
"Hey!" Semper took a piece from Laura's perfect design, "Hey!"
"Is for horses." He chuckled, "I've gotta get back."
Just then a growl and a scream of "Lauren" ripped through the night sky. The group chuckled, "Well, at least we know the sexual healing has begun."
Semper teleported away, "So… do you need to feed, love?"
"Interestingly enough, no. I feel… full… and… stronger. What did she do to me, Cin?"
"Made you a day walker as far as I know."
"I didn't know they could feel so powerful."
"Do you want help?"
"As long as you don't do eat one, place one again. We have a lot of people to feed tonight."
"Laura, I think the restaurant shut down for the night… we bought all of their supplies."
"Well, I didn't want to run out."
"You won't."
She placed a light kiss on her wife's lips, "We're going to share a bed tonight, Cin."
"We are. We're finally going to have a honeymoon."
The pair went back to work as another scream ripped through the night. They smirked and shook their heads. Life on Succubus Island was anything but boring.
… … … … …
She was hungry… so hungry… and her Succubus was relentless. Lauren was struggling to keep up as Bo now sat atop her riding her hand, her blue eyes void of all emotion, hands pressing down hard on her wife's shoulders as the blonde's muscles strained to keep thrusting to fill her mate's need. She would give Bo what she needed, no matter how much her fingers, wrist and forearms were burning under strain. She watched as Bo arched back, looking out into the night sky moaning through another orgasm.
Lauren stopped to rest, thinking her wife might finally take a break, but as she went to sit up, the Succubus pushed her back hard to the ground and began thrusting down on her hand again. The doctor took in her wife's form, watching each detail… the beautiful, voluptuous breasts bouncing wildly up and down before her, skin flushed with the sexual chi being absorbed through her efforts, mouth hung open as she panted and groaned, hands gripping her slender waist, giving her leverage to rock her hips against the three fingers buried inside her while the fingers of the other hand that rapidly massaged her clit. There was no woman Lauren had ever laid with in her lifetime that could beguile her like her wife. Sweat dripped down Lauren's forehead as she stroked her mate with determination, ignoring the cramping in her forearm to bring her wife to yet another climax.
"Again." The Succubus said as she ground down hard on Lauren's hand, "More."
Lauren bent her knee, effectively using her thigh to shove her hand up into Bo harder. It seemed to work as Bo leaned forward once again, her breasts now hovering over Lauren's mouth. The blonde took the breasts alternatingly in her mouth, lavishing them with equal attention as some of the pain in her forearm retreated given the support of her thigh. Finally, Bo came again, and fell forward onto Lauren's chest.
"Had enough?"
Bo sat up as Lauren began to pull her hand from between her wife's legs. She looked down at Lauren, her eyes glowing ethereal blue,
"Where do you think you're going, doctor? I'm not done with that. Feed me… again." Bo began to ride her fingers again but Lauren was spent,
"Bo… please… let me use my mouth… my hand…"
"No. Need penetration… stay…"
"Bo… I need…"
"I need…"
"Bo…"
"No…"
Lauren was pissed. Her mates' Succubus was being a spoiled, greedy brat. Her skin was fully healed and frankly, she could technically heal with Druid chi at this point. Her Succuslut was plain horny. Of course, the blonde understood that… hers was too, but her tiger was pissed at the Succubus trying to dominate her… she was her mate, her equal. The tiger roared to life,
"NO!"
With one tiger-enhanced effort, Lauren's hips bucked up and threw Bo to the ground beside her. The Succubus landed face down in the sand, stunned into silence. She remained there for a moment before placing her hands beside her chest and pressing her upper body up. Lauren took in the long sway of her back, her hips still buried in the sand and the firm buttocks clearly put on display for her benefit. That thought was confirmed when the Succubus looked over her shoulder, and smirked back at her mate, eyes now swirling blue with flecks of orange from her fire Druid. This was Bo at her most dangerous and Lauren knew it. Her tiger was not going to let her back down… they were mated… Lauren was her equal and she would demand her wife's respect for her… no matter what.
Lauren paced back and forth behind her mate, deep blue eyes glued to the orange-blue version of her mate's. She watched as the Succubus slowly spread her legs revealing her cum-soaked center, ass and thighs. She was absolutely drenched from the multiple orgasms Lauren had given her. She bent her knees and spread her legs further, before reaching back and running her fingers through her folds, pressing three fingers into her heat, then removing them and sliding one finger into her ass,
"You like what you see, don't you my love?"
Lauren watched as her mate's hand moved in, out and around the sopping wet folds. She was mesmerized by the bold and incredibly sexy display before her. She felt her tiger shift, as she raked sharp nails up her own thighs, drawing blood. She held a finger up to her mouth and licked… she was craving blood… she hadn't fed her tiger since this morning and she was thirsty. For a moment, she thought of running into the woods, but as she watched the scene play out before her, she couldn't tear herself away. Her cock hardened as she watched the Succubus enter herself yet again. She reached down and gripped the tip hard, before she stood stroking herself before her mate. Two can play at this game.
She watched as Bo licked her lips, her eyes never leaving the hard member between her wife's legs,
"Do YOU see something YOU like, my love?"
She chuckled to herself as the Succubus failed to respond, her eyes still glued on the display before her. The brunette moved to lie on her side, before she grasped her top leg behind her knee and pulled it up towards her shoulder giving Lauren a full view of her wide-open pussy. It only took a moment for the blonde to accept the invitation as she was between her legs in three steps. She thrust her cock deep into the Succubus as she rested her leg on Lauren's shoulder. Their eyes met, each seemingly determined to be the dominant player in this sexual dual. Bo rolled onto all fours, causing Lauren to cry out as her wife's tight heat twisted her cock when she moved. The blonde regained her balance and began to slam into the Succubus, gripping her hair and pulling hard as her lips tried desperately to reach her neck.
Unsatisfied with the position, Lauren hoisted the Succubus up and carried her over to a large rocky outcrop. Her feet remained firmly planted in the sand as she lay her wife face down, lifting up her hips and pulling her pussy back onto her cock. She looked down and watched as her member became coated with the fluids of her mate. She reached around and fingered the hard clit before pulling the wet fingers away and sliding one into the opening of her ass. Bo responded with a loud moan as she began to press back hard into her mate.
Lauren gripped the hair of the brunette and pulled her up to her, this time elevated on the rock the blonde was able to move her mouth to her wife's neck. She licked at the pulse point enjoying the taste and flavor of flesh… carefully, she began to suck and nip at the soft flesh, her climax coming closer with each thrust, the sound of Bo's pleasured groans driving her forward. She couldn't stand it anymore… the need was too great… as Bo neared completion, Lauren bit down on her neck, drawing the flavor she was so desperate for from her mate. She drank deeply as she came hard feeling completely fulfilled by her wife drawing a scream of ecstasy from her wife that was no doubt heard around the entire mainland. Bo's throaty response to the erotic act was, simply…
"More… you win… I need more…"
Lauren smirked into her wife's neck as she began again.
… … … … …
"Cinnie!" The handsome man with jet-black hair and red eyes approached at a jog with his blonde-haired, blue-eyed wife in tow. The couple engulfed the guard in a bone-crushing hug as they reunited after their long separation.
"Oliver! Zara! It's so good to see you! Laura! They're here!"
Laura came around the corner, wiping her hands on her apron, "Little brother! Come on… give me a cuddle!"
"It's so good to see you, sis!" Oliver hugged his sister and pulled away, gripping her by the shoulders, "Lau? You smell different."
Laura hung her head, "I've been given a gift by the One True Queen, Ollie."
"Lau? Did she… you're a day walker?"
"Aye."
"Oh my Gods! Zara, did you hear? The Queen made my sister a day walker! She did that for her! My little sis given a gift by the Queen! What did you do, make her your world famous hot sauce?"
Laura laughed at her brother's joke. She had once made a hot sauce that he loved so much, he ate it until it made him sick. He hadn't eaten her hot sauce since… as a matter of fact, she was forbidden from making it whenever he was around so she wouldn't tempt him.
"So… you're not mad?"
"Mad? Why would I be mad?"
"I don't know… I…"
"Seriously? Cinnie, what is wrong with your wife? You really thought I would be so jealous that I'd be mad at you? I mean… I am jealous but right now, nothing is going to bring me down." He looked at Zara and smiled, pulling her towards him,
"We spent the day together, Cinnie… the Queen arranged new quarters for us. Our bedroom was dropped off yesterday… and I do mean literally. Off the back of the resort is an old bank vault. It locks from the inside so no one can accidentally open it and expose me during the day. It's got a fully stocked desk with computer and Wi-Fi, a stereo, queen sized bed with silk sheets, black light for reading, book shelves, an LED TV, iPad, Apple TV with a Netflix subscription, a gaming system… and best of all… it has my wife." He looked lovingly at Zara,
"We shared a bed… for the whole day, Cinnie. I've been moved to nightshift so we sleep and work at the same time now. It was amazing… well, you two obviously know."
"Actually, we don't… the Queen just finished the ceremony at sundown."
The four heard a scream in the distance. Laura and Cinnie looked at each other and chuckled,
"What in Gaia's name was that?" Asked Zara.
"Uh… well… how much do you know about the ceremony?"
"I've heard it's very painful… that it leaves them scarred and burned. Rumor has it that it's the devil punishing them for saving the undead from a life banished to darkness."
"Well, it's true that it is very painful and leaves them burned. But our Queens are special… and that sound you heard just now was the sound of our Queen being healed by her partner."
"But it sounded like someone was being fucked into oblivion, Lau."
"Aye."
"Aye it sounded that way or aye it's what is actually happening and what does that have to deal with healing?"
"You obviously haven't heard of the unaligned Succubus?"
"Bo Dennis… I have heard of her… she was the one who tried to kill Vex when he killed one of ours, Lau."
"Well, that same Bo Dennis is our One True Queen."
"No way!"
"Yes way… the Succubus is our Queen."
"So… she changed you and now she's off healing… like Succubus healing?"
"Yup. She's the real deal, Ollie. She's good… she's righteous."
"So says the ancient prophecies of our people, Lau."
The four stood silently for a moment before Ollie asked, "So, where's our little sis?"
"Fashionably late, as always."
The group laughed as Laura motioned them to take a seat at the large circular table that was set up for them. There were five others set up as well,
"Big dinner tonight, sis?"
"Tonight we all dine together in celebration of our freedom, brother. The entire guard, the staff, us and our Queens."
"Our Queens are coming to our dinner?"
"Well, they're here on their honeymoon, so they have to eat. After dinner they're going off on their own but yes, they'll be eating with us."
"Shit! We're going to meet the fucking Queens?! Cinnie, why didn't you tell us! We're hardly dressed for royalty!"
"Trust me… you'll be lucky if they're dressed at all." Semper quipped as he walked to the group.
"Semper!"
"Hey Ollie." They shook hands before the guard turned to Ollie's wife, "And they ever beautiful Zara… how are you love?" He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Always the charmer, this one." Zara said laughing at Semper's expense.
"Only for you, Zara. I'm still getting you to see that leaving this old sap here for a younger model is the way to go."
"You're too skinny, Semper… get over it." Oliver quipped.
"Hey! The party's here!"
The group turned to see a woman who could have been Oliver's twin appeared with a ruggedly handsome blonde man in tow, "Lau… Ollie… your little sis is here to rescue you… I figured last minute dinner call and all… and I hear someone is cooking for a 'very special' pair of guests… you would try to cook us something. I took care of the tradition and took a ferry to the mainland!"
She held up four bags, "Viola! Japanese from our favorite stop!"
Laura and Cinnie chuckled, "Molly, you little twit… we bought enough Japanese for the entire island! I wouldn't think of breaking the family rule… not even for the Queens! Finn, you should have controlled your wife."
"Control my wife? Ha! Lau you should no better. Trying to control Molly is like trying to control the woman's mouth!"
"Wait! Back up here a minute… Lau! You wouldn't dare serve the Queens take out! You'll end up on a spit in your own brick oven!"
"Aye… I would… and I did so at the insistence of their best friend Kenzi."
"Really?"
"Really. I'm telling you… they are the most down-to-earth Queens I've ever met. You're gonna love 'em, Molly."
"Okay then… I'll try them on. When do we get the honor of meeting their hine-asses?"
"Molly… be respectful, I'm warning you!"
"Yea… well, respect has to be earned, Lau… you know I don't just give my respect to anyone."
"Well that's a good thing, because neither do I." Bo appeared with Lauren at her side, their hands joined tightly together. She flashed her eyes just for effect and was immediately scolded by Lauren,
'Bo! There's no need to scare the shit out of them!'
'What? She reminds me of Kenzi. I'm just having a little fun.'
'You're evil, Bo Martini.'
'That's not what you were saying a half hour ago… I believe you were calling me a little slice of heaven, not hell.'
'Hmmm… a deserving title.' Lauren's eyes flashed blue at the memory.
'Now look who's flashing old blue eyes.'
'Your fault.'
'Totally not.'
Bo chuckled as she planted a kiss on her wife's cheek, "Laura, I would love to meet your family, but I'm afraid we need to eat and run tonight. My healing took longer than expected and we promised Kenzi we would be home by our son's bedtime for a story."
"Of course, My Queen. And… can I just say…"
"No need, Laura."
"Please, My Queen… from all of us… my brother Oliver has just spent his first night with his wife Zara and if she hasn't already, my sister Molly will spend tonight sleeping with her husband Finn. You have reunited families, my Queen… and for me… the gift you bestowed… if I had known the rumors were true… the pain you endured on my behalf… I can never thank you enough. All I can do is pledge the allegiance of my family to you and yours."
"Laura, I was happy to help. No one should live as you all have been living. Elder Arum will pay the price and as for Morgan and Aaron, they will be treating you as fair citizens from this day forward. If they do not, they shall face me."
"Thank you, my Queen." Laura said.
"So, about that meal?"
"Well, since you wanted to eat with my family… and since it's a celebration of sorts for us, we thought we would all eat together tonight?"
"That's sounds perfect."
"A group of water Fae have agreed to guard the coast while we dine, so all of the staff will join us as well."
"Wow. That's quite a crowd. You must have been busy since we've been gone."
"Actually, I didn't cook a thing. Instead, I took Kenzi's recommendation."
"Oh. My. God." Lauren said, "You ordered Japanese takeout?!"
"I did… are you sure it's okay… I mean, I can…"
"Just please tell me you ordered some red meat for me. I don't think my wife…" Lauren went to continue but Cinnie put up a hand and eyed Bo's neck purposefully.
"I understand." Cinnie said, her fingers grazing the bite marks on her own neck that were similar to Bo's.
Lauren blushed, "Thank you for your understanding, Cinnie." Bo said as she gave Lauren's hand a squeeze.
"So, let's eat!" Bo said.
Cinnie sounded a whistle and gradually, the small group more than doubled in size. Bo and Lauren looked to each other and smiled,
"Soon, baby. We'll see him soon."
… … … … … …
Ethan was all tucked into bed with Kenzi lying next to him. They had just picked out the three books they were going to read tonight for the bedtime story when the young Druid looked up at her,
"Aunt K?"
"Wassup, buddy?"
"Is Mamma hurt really bad?"
"What would make you think your Mamma is hurt?"
"I'm not that little Aunt K… and you're really bad at hiding your thoughts from me… especially pictures."
Kenzi sighed. Being a nanny to a genius wasn't an easy thing and the parental units were going to be pissed that she let the image of Bo's burns slip.
"She was hurt, Ethan but your Mommy will heal her up no problem."
"She looks really bad in your head, though."
"Well, how does she look in the flesh?" Bo said as she and Lauren popped into the room. Kenzi mouthed a 'thank you' to the pair as she rose from the bed. Ethan was already jumping into Bo's arms, his hands feeling her face.
"I'm glad you aren't permitly a zit-faced monster, Mamma. You look better with this face." He slapped Bo's cheeks lightly, and then wrapped his arms around her neck. Bo handed him off to Lauren who took him and gave him a big squeeze.
"Hey! Wait a minute! You weren't supposed to come home! You broke Ethan's rule number one from the list you signed!"
"We couldn't help it, buddy. We just missed you too much. Can you ever forgive us?" Lauren asked giving her son sad puppy dog eyes.
"I guess, Mommy but please don't get all mushy about it and cry an stuff."
"I wouldn't think about it. But it is really good to see you, buddy."
"I missed you guys."
"And we missed you. So, how about some bed time stories, then you shift and we tuck you in for the night?" Bo asked.
"And then you go back to your honeymoon, right? Acause, I'm not a baby, you know. I mean… I miss you is all… I… want you to go do the mushy thing."
"And we will, but Ethan... you should know that you will ALWAYS be our number one priority… even over mushy things. If you need us – for any reason at all – you tell Aunt K. Okay?"
Bo reassured her son. She and Lauren knew he was just trying to be brave. This whole 'be a man' thing was rough… and being women, they just didn't really get it.
"Okay… bedtime story number one will be a Ysabeau the Great story then, okay?"
"Okay… which one do you want?"
"They one about how she got turned into a zit-faced monster!"
Bo and Lauren looked at each other and laughed.
"Ysabeau and the Zit-Faced Monster it is!"
The trio climbed into Ethan's bed and settled in for a long tuck-in story. Bo and Lauren were happy to see their son. Even if it was only for an hour or two, it was good to have the time with him. Some people might not understand it… hell, even Ethan didn't seem to understand it… but anyone who ever had a child would understand and really, here in this moment, those people were the only people whose opinions mattered. No one would ever keep them from their child… ever.
… … … … …
A/N: Hopefully, for those of you who felt a need to criticize any past or future Ethan-heavy chapters, Bo's final thoughts in this chapter send a very clear message. This author will never portray Bo and Lauren as neglectful parents who put their needs before the needs of their own children. If you can't understand that, then I encourage you to find another read as you've threatened to, for you are likely too young for this story. Look… I'm a good person… a nice person… but I'm not here for you to abuse… go easy, please… there's a real person writing this story… show some class with your comments or I will stop posting guest comments… you're upsetting others as well and that's never okay. If you're true fans of the show and the stars of the show, you just don't treat people that way. This site is better than that… LG fans are better than that, so please… be constructive. Again, I am more than willing to discuss if you log in and use a name so I can respond to you.
For those of you offering continued support, encouragement and constructive criticism through over 600,000 words and 47 chapters with the end barely in sight, I welcome your reviews and PM's. I love hearing your point of view and having conversations with you all about… well, everything we end up talking about! Shout out to Karen and spyklv. Thanks to LauratheChef for another recipe… more good eats to come! (okay… that just sounded wrong…). Fun times and a lot of firsts coming up in Chapter 48… time for some laughs…
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